Seeking to win his second Super Bowl title in five seasons ... Chosen 11th overall in the 2004 draft by the Steelers after Eli Manning (No. 1) and Philip Rivers (No. 4). He and Manning, who won last year with Giants, already have titles ... Completed 281-of-469 passes this year with 17 TDs and 15 INTS for passer rating of 80.1, second worst of his career ... First rookie to have 13-1 record as a starter after taking over from injured Tommy Maddox in second game of 2004 season. ... Youngest QB to win a Super Bowl when he led Steelers to win over Seattle in 2006.

Willie Parker, RB (39). 5-10, 209, 5th season, North Carolina.

Bothered by knee and shoulder injuries, rushed for just 791 yards and a 3.8 average after more than 1,200 yards in each of the last three seasons ... Undrafted coming out of college, got into eight games and rushed for 132 yards as a rookie ... Voted to Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007. ... Had 75-yard touchdown run in 2006 Super Bowl against Seattle, one of key plays in that game.

Mewelde Moore, RB/PR (21). 5-11, 209, 5th season, Tulane.

Fourth-round pick of Minnesota in 2004, signed with the Steelers this year as return man and third-down back ... Became primary running back with Parker's injury and finished with 588 yards rushing, five TDs and 4.2 average ... Tied for fourth on team with 40 receptions ... While with Vikings, had two 71-yard punt returns for TDs ... Holds Minnesota record with 10.5-yard career average on punt returns.

Carey Davis, FB, (38). 5-10, 225. 2nd season, Illinois.

Signed by the Steelers in 2006 after time with Indianapolis in 2004 and floating on and off rosters and practice squads in Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay ... Primarily a blocker ... Had a 20-yard third-down reception in AFC title game that helped set up field goal.

Hines Ward, WR (86). 6-0, 205, 11th season, Georgia.

MVP of 2006 Super Bowl, when he had five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown ... Steelers' career leader with 800 receptions, 9,780 yards, and 72 TD catches ... Had 81 catches for 1,043 yards, his fifth 1,000-yard season ... Has had catches in 162 regular-season games, third among active players behind Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens ... One of the game's best blocking receivers, broke jaw of Cincinnati's Keith Rivers with legal block this season ... Third-round draft pick in 1998 ... Played WR, RB and QB in college ... Four-time Pro Bowler ... Injured right knee against Baltimore in AFC title game, but expected to be ready for Super Bowl.

Santonio Holmes, WR, (10). 5-11, 189, 3rd season, Ohio State.

First-found pick in 2006, 25th overall, considered Steelers' most dangerous deep threat ... Had 65-yard touchdown catch for first score in AFC championship game against Baltimore ... Had career-high 55 catches for 821 yards and five touchdowns this season ... Averaged 18.1 yards per catch in 2007 ... Also returns punts and had 6.6 average this season.

Nate Washington, WR, (85). 4th season, 6-1, 185, Tiffin.

Undrafted free agent, played in only one game as rookie in 2005 ... Made his first catch in AFC championship game against Denver that season ... Has 104 receptions for 1,705 yards and 16.4 average in career ... Had 40 catches for 635 yards and three TDs this season.

Heath Miller, TE, (83). 6-5, 256, 4th season, Virginia.

First-round pick in 2005, 30th overall ... Had 48 catches, a career high, for 514 yards and three TDs, added six more for 99 yards and a TD in playoffs ... Has 168 receptions for 1,932 yards and 21 TDs in four-year career ... Has started all but one of 62 games he has played.

Max Starks, LT (78). 6-8, 337, 5th season, Florida.

Started 11 games this season replacing injured Marvel Smith ... Started 45 of 72 since being drafted in third round in 2004 ... Height makes him vulnerable against speed rushers ... Six relatives have played in NFL, including his father, Ross Browner, a first-round pick as a defensive lineman by Cincinnati in 1978.

Willie Colon, RT (74). 6-3, 315, 3rd season, Hofstra.

Fourth-round pick in 2006, became a starter for last two games of his rookie season ... Has started all 32 games the last two seasons ... Remarked during the playoffs that because of OL difficulties all season, he couldn't go grocery shopping without fans criticizing his play.

Chris Kemoeatu, LG (68). 6-3, 344, 4th season, Utah.

Replaced perennial Pro Bowler Alan Faneca, who left as a free agent after last season ... Sixth-round draft choice in 2005, was inactive for 15 games and dressed for one, but did not play ... Started two games in 2006 and played in a third, but inactive for the rest ... Brother Maake is a starting defensive tackle for Carolina.

Darnell Stapleton, RG (72). 6-3, 285, 2nd season, Rutgers.

Undrafted free agent in 2007 ... Dressed for just one game as rookie ... Became starter at guard when Kendall Simmons was lost for the season ... Had just one holding penalty and three false starts in 12 starts. ... Also plays center.

Justin Hartwig C (62). 6-4, 312, 7th season, Kansas.

Signed as a free agent from Carolina in the offseason. ... Originally drafted by Tennessee in sixth round in 2002, has started 79 of 80 games since 2003 with the Titans, Panthers and Steelers. ... Won the starting job in training camp from Sean Mahan, last season's starter, who was traded to Tampa Bay in September.

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DEFENSE

Aaron Smith, DE (91). 6-5. 298, 10th season, Northern Colorado.

Has started 137 of 145 NFL games ... Considered one of the unsung stars in the NFL because he plays in a 3-4, where defensive linemen are used primarily to keep blockers off linebackers ... Has 42 career sacks, including eight in 2001 and 2004, high totals for a 3-4 DE ... Fourth-round draft pick in 1999.

Brett Keisel, DE (99). 6-5, 285, 7th season, Brigham Young.

A starter for the last three seasons, although he missed six games this year with a knee injury ... Primaily a run-stopper, has 11 1/2 sacks in his career ... Seventh-round draft pick in 2002, missed all of 2003 with a shoulder injury.

Casey Hampton, NT (98). 6-1, 325, 8th season, Texas.

First-round pick, 19th overall, in 2001 ... Generally weighs in at more than his listed 325 and was kept out of drills during training camp because he was overweight ... Whatever he weighs, he is often impossible to move and a major reason Steelers were No. 1 in NFL in overall defense and against the run.

James Harrison, OLB (92). 6-0, 242, 5th season, Kent State.

The NFL's Defensive Player of the Year after registering 16 sacks and keying run defense ... A late bloomer who was thought to be too short and a step too slow, he was an undrafted free agent. He signed in 2002, played only one game that year, and was cut three times before being brought back at start of 2004 because of injury to Clark Haggans, now with Arizona ... Remained a part-timer until replacing the departed Joey Porter at the start of 2007 ... Even before becoming a starter, signed a four-year deal that hastened Porter's departure.

LaMarr Woodley, OLB (56). 6-2, 265, 2nd season, Michigan.

A second-round pick in 2007, he was a situational pass rusher as a rookie and became a starter this season ... Registered 11 1/2 sacks as a bookend to Harrison ... A hybrid defensive end/linebacker at Michigan, which dropped him from the first round but made him appealing to a team like the Steelers and their 3-4 scheme.

James Farrior, ILB (51). 6-2, 234, 12th season, Virginia.

The veteran hand in the linebacking corps ... A first-round pick of the Jets in 1997, joined Steelers as a free agent in 2002, and blossomed ... Voted to the Pro Bowl this season for the second time ... Led the Steelers in tackles with 133.

Larry Foote, ILB (50). 6-1, 239, 7th season, Michigan.

A fourth-round pick in 2002 ... Has started every game for the past five seasons and has 80 straight starts, unusual for as physical a position as linebacker ... Led the team in tackles in 2005.

Ike Taylor, CB (24). 6-2, 191, 6th season, Lousiana-Lafayette.

A starter for most of the past four seasons ... Considered team's best man-to-man cover cornerback, although he had just one interception this season ... Played only two years of college football, the first as a running back ... A fourth-round draft pick in 2003, was a kickoff returner as a rookie ... As best cover man and Steelers' tallest DB may spend a lot of time on Larry Fitzgerald.

Bryant McFadden, CB (20). 6-0, 190, 4th season, Florida State.

A starter two years ago, he regained his job this season ... Missed six games with a broken arm. Had two interceptions in eight starts ... Had a 50-yard interception return for TD in 2007, when he was the nickel back ... Second-round pick in 2005.

Deshea Townsend, CB (26). 5-10, 190, 11th season, Alabama.

Spent his entire career with the Steelers ... Now the nickel back, he was a starter from 2003-2007 and has 20 career regular-season interceptions ... Had INT last week off Joe Flacco in AFC title game win over Baltimore.

Troy Polamalu, S (43). 5-10, 207, Sixth season, Southern Cal.

An All-Pro and one of the best safeties in the game, Polamalu is a devastating tackler as well as a ballhawk with 17 career interceptions, seven this year ... Had a 40-yard interception return for the clinching touchdown against Baltimore ... The 16th overall pick in 2000 draft, he didn't start until his second season but now has 72 straight starts ... Known for the ponytail that falls out of the back of his helmet and prompted the NFL to consider a rule that players tuck their hair into their helmets. It was rejected.

Ryan Clark, S (25). 5-11, 205, 7th season, LSU.

Began career as undrafted free agent with Giants in 2002 and moved on to Washington, where he started for two seasons ... Allowed to move to Steelers because Redskins preferred bigger names ... Solid and steady and allows Polamalu to gamble on making big plays.

William Gay, S (22). 5-10, 190, 2nd year, Louisville.

Plays in dime situations. Started four games this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jeff Reed, K (3). 5-11, 225, 7th season, North Carolina.

Has made more than 80 percent of his field-goal attempts, a very good number in Pittsburgh, where unpredictable field surface and swirling winds make kicking hard ... Is 6-of-11 from more than 50 yards in his career although he rarely tries those kicks at home because of the conditions.

Mitch Berger, P (17). 6-4, 228, 13th season, Colorado.

Native of Kamloops, B.C., has punted for Vikings, Saints and Cardinals before joining Steelers this season. Averaged 36.4 yards per punt this season, better than career mark of 35.8.

Gary Russell, KR (33). 5-11, 223, 2nd season, Minnesota.

Averaged 23.2 yards as kickoff return man, with a long of 43 ... Also serves as third-string RB, notably in short-yardage situations.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Offense

Kurt Warner, QB (13). 6-2, 218, 11th season, Northern Iowa.

Came from Arena League and NFL Europe to lead St. Louis Rams to 2000 Super Bowl win after Trent Green was injured in exhibition. Had played just one NFL game before that season ... Was MVP and Super Bowl MVP in 1999 season and won MVP again in 2001 before Rams lost Super Bowl to New England ... Injuries curtailed his 2002 and 2003 seasons and he was released by Rams and joined Giants ... Started nine games there and gave way to Eli Manning ... Went to Arizona in 2005 and started 10 games ... Beat out "QB of the future" Matt Leinart at midseason last year and again this season ... At 37, threw for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns with passer rating of 96.3, highest since 1999-2001 in St. Louis.

Edgerrin James, RB (32). 6-0, 220, 10th season, Miami.

Third season in Arizona after seven in Indianapolis ... Rushed for more than 1,500 yards four times with Colts and had double-digit touchdowns rushing four times ... Had 50 or more receptions five times with Colts ... Production fell off in Arizona, where he has averaged under 4 yards a carry ... Lost his job at midseason this year to Tim Hightower, then reclaimed it in playoffs ... Rushed for 203 yards in three playoff games after getting 514 for 3.9 average during regular season, when he complained about being benched for first time in career ... Fourth overall pick in 1999 draft, first non-quarterback taken.

Tim Hightower, RB (34). 6-0, 216, rookie, Richmond.

Fifth-round draft pick last April ... Started seven games ... Rushed for 399 yards and 2.8 average with 10 touchdowns ... Had 34 receptions for 399 yards ... Biggest play of career was 6-yard run on fourth-and-1 from Philadelphia 49 during Cardinals' winning TD drive in AFC title game ... Caught 8-yard screen pass for winning touchdown.

Terrelle Smith, FB, (45). 6-0, 250, 9th season, Arizona State.

Almost exclusively a blocking back ... Had no carries and just two receptions during season ... Of 58 career carries, 29 were as a rookie with New Orleans ... Also played for Cleveland ... Joined Cardinals in 2007.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR (11). 6-3, 220, 5th season, Pitt.

One of the game's best receivers and a player the Steelers must control to win ... Third overall pick in 2004 draft, had 96 receptions for 1,431 yards this season and 12 touchdowns ... Has already broken Jerry Rice's playoff record with 419 yards receiving on 22 catches, an 18.2 average ... Has ability to leap over defenders even when covered to make catch ... Has five TD catches in three playoff games ... Signed $40 million, four-year contract with $30 million guaranteed last summer.

Anquan Boldin, WR (81). 6-1, 217, 6th season, Florida State.

Combines with Fitzgerald in NFL's best receiving tandem ... Second-round pick in 2003, was Offensive Rookie of the Year with 101 catches ... Had 89 receptions for 1,089 yards and 11 TDs this year despite playing 12 games after sustaining facial injuries on a devastating hit against Jets ... Has running back skills and gains many of his yards after the catch ... Wants contract comparable to Fitzgerald's and has said he will not re-sign with Arizona when his deal expires in 2010.

Steve Breaston, WR (15). 6-0, 189, 2nd season, Michigan.

Had 77 catches for 1,006 yards after just eight catches as a rookie, joining Fitzgerald and Boldin to give Cardinals three 1,000-yard receivers ... Had 77 catches for 1,006 yards ... A fifth-round pick in 2007 ... Also serves as punt returner and sometimes kickoff return man ... Averaged 7.2 yards per punt return and 20.2 on kickoffs.

Leonard Pope, TE (82). 6-8, 258, 3rd season, Georgia.

Started just eight games and had just nine catches in regular season ... Had two catches for 21 yards against Eagles in NFC title game ... Has started 23 games since being taken in third round of 2006 draft.

Mike Gandy, LT (69). 6-4, 316, 8th season, Notre Dame.

Signed with Cardinals in 2007 as free agent from Buffalo ... Third-round pick of Chicago in 2001, played three years with Bears before going to Bills ... Inactive for rookie season, played four different OL positions with Bears: both tackles and both guards ... Has started every game since 2002 season.

Levi Brown, RT, (75). 6-5, 322, 2nd season, Penn State.

First-round pick, fifth overall by Cardinals in 2007 draft ... Started 11 games as a rookie and all 16 this season ... Allowed 11 sacks for 82 yards this year.

Reggie Wells, LG (74). 6-4, 308, 6th season, Clarion.

Has spent entire career with Cards after being sixth-round pick in 2003 ... Started 88 straight games since becoming regular in his seventh season ... Only 10 holding calls against him in five years as starter.

Deuce Lutui, RG (76). 6-4, 332, 3rd season, Southern Cal.

Second-round pick in 2006 ... Became a starter midway through his rookie season ... Blocked in college for both teammate Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer ... Born in Ha'api, Tonga, Cousin of former NFL running back Vai Sikahema, first Tongan to play in NFL.

Lyle Sendlein, C (63). 6-4, 300, 2nd season, Texas.

Started all 16 games after appearing in 12 games as a rookie with two starts ... Converted to center from guard in high school ... Grew up in Scottsdale, near Cardinals' training facility.

DEFENSE

Travis LaBoy, DE (55). 6-3, 250, 5th season, Hawaii.

Signed last spring as a free agent from Tennessee, where he had double-digit sacks twice ... Injured a quad muscle in NFC championship game after missing time earlier with ankle injury ... Second-round pick by Titans in 2004.

Antonio Smith, DE (94). 6-4, 285, 5th season, Oklahoma State.

A utility player who has been starting more this season ... Sack of Jake Delhomme forced fumble that he recovered for game-turning play in second-round playoff upset in Carolina ... Fifth-round draft pick in 2004.

Bertrand Berry, DE (92). 6-3, 260, 11th season, Notre Dame.

Used in passing situations ... Has 69 sacks in career that began as third-round pick of Colts in 1997 ... Also played for Broncos ... Had 14 1/2 sacks in 2004, his first season with Cardinals, and made Pro Bowl that season ... Had four sacks in a game against Giants in 2004.

Darnell Dockett, DT (90). 6-4, 285, 5th season, Florida State.

Has started 79 of his 80 games since Cardinals made him the first pick of the third round in 2004 ... Tackle on Michael Turner in playoff game against Atlanta knocked ball loose for Antrel Rolle to return for game-changing TD ... Has started 65 straight regular-season games ... Made Pro Bowl in 2007 after registering career-high nine sacks.

Bryan Robinson, DT (97). 6-4, 304, 12th season, Fresno State.

Undrafted free agent who signed with Rams in 1997 ... Spent six years with Bears and also played with Dolphins and Bengals ... Signed with Cardinals last spring and started 15 games.

Chike Okeafor, OLB, (56). 6-5, 247, 10th season, Purdue.

Like Berry and Robinson, brings experience to relatively young defense ... Third-round pick by San Francisco in 1999. Also played for Seattle before joining Cardinals in 2005 ... Has 48 1/2 career sacks.

Karlos Dansby, OLB (58). 6-4, 250, 5th season, Auburn.

One of team's young stars, was the first Cardinal to get the franchise player tag to prevent him from becoming free agent after 2007 season ... Has 24 1/2 sacks and nine interceptions since being taken with first pick in second round of 2004 draft.

Gerald Hayes, MLB (54). 6-1, 249, 6th season, Pitt.

Third-round pick in 2003, has been a starter the last three seasons after missing all of 2005 with a knee injury ... Had one of five interceptions off Jake Delhomme in Cardinals' upset victory of Carolina in second round of playoffs ... College teammate of Larry Fitzgerald.

First-round draft choice last April, 16th overall ... Started 11 games and had four interceptions to lead team ... Added interceptions in both Atlanta and Carolina playoff victories ... Cousin of San Diego's Antonio Cromartie.

Roderick Hood, CB (26). 5-11, 198, 6th season, Auburn.

One of a handful of Cardinals with Super Bowl experience – his was with Philadelphia in 2005 ... Signed with Arizona in 2007 after being extra DB with Eagles ... Has started 30 regular-season games the past two seasons.

Ralph Brown, CB (20). 5-10, 185, 9th season, Nebraska.

Has started just 16 times in 113 games with the Giants, Vikings, Browns and Cardinals ... Had five career interceptions going into playoffs, added one in each of first two postseason games ... Was on injured reserve as rookie with 2000 Giants, who went to Super Bowl in Tampa.

Adrian Wilson, SS (24). 6-3, 230, 8th season, North Carolina State.

One of the three best safeties in the game, along with Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu and Baltimore's Ed Reed ... Going to only his second Pro Bowl, an indictment of a system that rarely rewards players on bad teams ... Ferocious run-stuffer and blitzer, had eight sacks in 2005 ... Has 18 career interceptions ... One of the rare Cardinals standouts who has chosen to stay with historically challenged franchise – most leave and excel elsewhere.

Antrel Rolle, FS (21). 6-0, 208, 4th season, Miami.

The eighth overall pick in 2005 draft, was switched to safety from cornerback this season ... Scored go-ahead TD in first-round win over Atlanta by plucking fumble out of the air and carrying it in ... Had three interceptions for touchdowns in 2007, second most for a single season in NFL history. Two of the TDs came in one game, tied for most in NFL history. He had another called back by penalty in that contest.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Neil Rackers, K (1). 6-1, 202, 9th season, Illinois.

Made 25 of 28 field goals this season ... A 77.1 percent kicker for his career, the first three years of which were with Cincinnati ... Had 15 touchbacks on 85 kickoffs.

Ben Graham, P (5). 6-5, 235, 4th season, no college.

An Aussie and a former Australian rules football player ... Spent the last three seasons and part of this one with the Jets before being cut ... Signed Dec. 1 to replace Dirk Johnson, who was cut ... Averaged 42 yards on 20 punts, just slightly better than Johnson.

J.J. Arrington, KR (28). 5-9, 212, 3rd season, Cal.

Backup running back who is primary kickoff return man ... Averaged 22.7 yards per return ... Had 93-yard return for touchdown on opening kickoff in overtime win over Dallas ... Middle man on flea-flicker TD pass from Warner to Fitzgerald in championship game.

Sean Morey, WR (87). 5-11, 193, 7th season, Brown.

A special teams standout who has caught just 11 passes in his career, eight in 2007 with the Cardinals ... One of Cardinals with Super Bowl experience, he played with Steelers in 2005 ... Made Pro Bowl as the NFC's special teamer ... Pro Bowl alternate with Steelers in 2005.